With approximately 188 million active users, Snapchat has become one of the leaders in the social media game in recent years, especially among younger users. It’s also become a very popular marketing tool, a fact that hasn’t been lost by brands such as Pepsi, Disney, and Burberry. This is thanks in part to Snapchat codes, scannable badges that can be read by smartphones that have the Snapchat app. Let’s take a look at how you can use Snapchat codes and other aspects of Snapchat marketing for your own business.
About Snapchat Codes
Before we go any further, we should talk about what Snapchat codes really are and how they work. As we said before, Snapchat codes are badges that can be scanned by smartphones, much like QR codes. These badges are yellow with a white ghost silhouette that is surrounded by a unique arrangement of black dots. Every Snapchat user has their own unique Snapcode, and their Snapchat profile pic is usually in the middle of the ghost silhouette. The code acts as both a profile avatar and a “follow” button.
Snapcodes allow users to gain followers quickly; all one has to do is scan a Snapcode to add that user as a friend. However, it can also be used by businesses to increase brand awareness, unlock exclusive content, or link to specific web portals, among other things. When Snapcodes are used in the right way, they allow brands to connect with consumers in fun, modern ways no matter where they may be. As with all social media marketing campaigns, you will need to spend some time experimenting with different codes and different advertising avenues to find what works best for your brand, but that in itself can be half the fun of Snapchat.
With that being said, here are just some ways that you can use Snapcodes for your own business.
Gaining Followers
Snapcodes were originally intended to make it easy to add friends and follow other users, so businesses of all sizes should be using them in the same way. Think of Snapchat as another social media platform much like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You need to gain followers on each of these platforms if you are to have any kind of influence on the millions of people who use them every day, and Snapchat is no different. Include your Snapcode on any touch point where people might have a smartphone handy such as magazine ads, newsletters, billboards, or flyers. You can also share your Snapcode through social media, with some users using their Snapcodes as their Twitter avatars and Facebook profile pictures. The more opportunities that customers have to scan your Snapcode, the more followers you stand to gain.
Connecting In Stores
Some people believe that brick-and-mortar stores are on their way out and will be completely replaced by online shopping. While saying that online marketplaces have grown in the last decade is a gross understatement, people will still travel to physical locations to do much of their shopping. In fact, a 2015 study has shown that communicating with customers in stores is more influential than any form of advertisement.
So no, shopping malls and department stores are not things of the past, no matter what people may believe. Naturally, this provides another opportunity to make use of your brand’s Snapcode. By putting your Snapcode on the tags or packaging of your brand’s products, you can increase your Snapchat follower count. Since this increases your social media influence, you will look more like an authority within your industry.
Gamification
Gamification is the practice of adding gaming elements into advertisements and media, and Snapchat is practically made for it. Part of the fun of Snapchat is being able to find a Snapcode “in the wild” and scanning it to add friends and find deals on brands that you like. It’s already something of a scavenger hunt similar to the likes of Pokemon Go and other augmented reality apps, and you can take advantage of that by offering promotional products and special access to new features for those who seek out your Snapcode. It increases customer engagement, which will make your brand that much more memorable in their minds.
Trying On Clothes Instantly
Snapcodes give users access to filters that can change their photos and their avatar. People have been using features like this for fun practically for as long as social media has existed, but clothing brands have started to use this to allow their Snapchat followers to “try on” some of their products. Basically, this involves the user scanning a Snapcode on a piece of clothing that they might like, which gives them a filter that shows them what they might look like when they wear the product. This is endlessly convenient for anyone who hates to take the time to try on a dozen outfits in the store. All they need to do is find something in their size, scan the Snapcode, and take a look at their phones to know if a shirt or dress would look good on them. This obviously cannot be used by all brands, and it can backfire if it isn’t implemented properly, but it can be a great way to generate buzz and spark conversations about the right kinds of clothing brands.
Creating a Snapcode
One of the best parts of Snapcodes is that they are incredibly easy to make. Snapchat is a social media platform that by definition needs to be accessible to practically everyone, so they will make it as easy as possible to create a Snapcode. Simply sign up on Snapchat here, download your Snapcode after you’ve created your profile, and start sharing your Snapcode however you see fit. You can also connect a Snapcode to the website of your choice by adding the link and selecting “Make a Snapcode!” on the Snapchat website or app. Feel free to experiment with your profile images or different websites to find the codes that will work best for you. If you play your Snapchat game right, you could add a whole new dimension to your social media marketing campaign. Share your new Snapcodes wherever you can, and have fun.
